Gloria Charles was an actress who made her screen debut in the 1982 horror film Friday the 13th Part III, where she played Fox, a biker chick who antagonized the main group of victims before meeting her own demise at the hands of Jason Voorhees. She also appeared in other films and TV shows, such as Brewster’s Millions, National Lampoon’s European Vacation, The A-Team, and Falcon Crest. But what was the cause of her death, and when did she pass away?
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Gloria Charles Died in December 2016
According to JoBlo, Gloria Charles died on December 8, 2016, in Marina Del Ray, California. The news of her death was announced by her Friday the 13th co-star Larry Zerner, who played Shelly in the same film, on Twitter in April 2017. He wrote:
I just learned that Gloria Charles (Fox in F13-3D) passed away in December. She had a great spirit and I’m so sorry to hear this. RIP.
Zerner did not reveal the cause of her death, but according to Horror Society, Charles had been suffering from an unspecified illness that required around-the-clock care. A GoFundMe page was set up by her family in November 2016 to raise funds for her medical expenses and funeral costs. The page stated:
Gloria is currently fighting for her life and needs your help! She has been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness that requires 24 hour, around the clock, in-home care. Her family is doing everything they can to make sure she gets the best care possible, but the costs are adding up quickly and they need your help.
The page also described Charles as a “loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend” who had a “passion for acting and entertaining”. It also thanked her fans for their support and prayers.
Gloria Charles Left a Lasting Impression on Horror Fans
Although Gloria Charles had a relatively short screen time in Friday the 13th Part III, she left a lasting impression on horror fans with her memorable performance as Fox. She was one of the few black actresses to appear in the franchise, and she brought a lot of attitude and charisma to her role. She also delivered some unforgettable lines, such as “Is this your rubber?” and “That’s good, that’s real nice”, while taunting Shelly and Vera with Shelly’s wallet.
Charles also participated in two documentaries about the Friday the 13th series: His Name Was Jason in 2009 and Crystal Lake Memories in 2013. In both documentaries, she shared her experiences and insights on working on the film, and showed her appreciation for the fans and the genre. She also attended several horror conventions and events, where she met and interacted with her admirers.
Gloria Charles may be gone, but she will not be forgotten by those who enjoyed her work and personality. She will always be remembered as Fox, one of the most iconic characters in Friday the 13th history. Rest in peace, Gloria Charles.
